The newspaper cutting opposite is an indicator of the rivalry between the Lintons and Jimmy Michael

MICHAEL V. THE LINTON'S,

AN OPEN CHALLENGE,

We have received the following letter from Jimmy Michael with reference to the question as to who is the middle-distance champion cyclist of the world:-
"Seeing that Tom Linton has been boasting in the South Wales papers that he can beat me, and that he would be willing to ride me any time, and also that his brother Arthur was 'champion of the world,' I will ride either of them, and will give them two laps in 100 kilometres, three in 100 miles, or four laps in six hours for £100 a-side and all gate receipts, race to be ridden at Buffalo or Winter track in Paris. I have deposited £20 with Sporting Life, so all they have to do is cover it and they can be accommodated at once, or give over talking.
"Anyone else in the world can be taken on the same terms, as I am middle-distance champion of the world and not A Linton. I am, &c.,

"Jimmy Michael
"19 Avenue Phillipe le Boucher,
Neuilly, Paris